When is the Second Coming of Christ?

(Luke 12:35-40)

From time to time there are people who make predictions about the date when Jesus will return. It would be good if they were right because then everyone would be ready for him to come. We could all stand in the street and await his arrival in wonder. Well, I believe I know when the Lord will return.

Like a Thief in the Night

He will return when it is time and not a minute before! What! You didn’t think I was going to give you a date, did you?

Jesus himself said in this section of scripture that his return would be like a thief in the night. Now a thief likes to operate in obscurity. He doesn’t want you to know when he is coming otherwise you would be ready for him and have the authorities standing by to make the arrest.

Well no-one, especially me, knows when the Lord is returning. He will come when it is time. And the world will be in fear and wonder because they will not be ready.

The Boy Scout Motto

The boy scouts have a motto that says, “Be Prepared.” And that is exactly what Jesus is telling us in this scripture. It is because he is coming like a thief that you need to prepare for his return NOW! There will be no opportunity once he appears in the heavens. That will be too late.

As Paul wrote, “For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Now is the day of salvation. There will be no time tomorrow so do not put it off. Jesus is telling us here to be prepared.

The Reward for Being Prepared

Jesus has also told us in this section that those who are prepared will receive a reward. They will be blessed by the Lord on his return, as it says in verse 37-38, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!”

The Lord will greatly bless those who are ready and waiting for him, but like doing an exam, you can’t cram it at the last minute and expect to pass. You need to be ready now.

So come to Jesus and learn his ways. Seek out what the Lord is requiring of you. He does not want your “stuff” he wants you. Seek the truth that is there to be found in the Bible; the word of God and he will come to you. Then on that day that is like a thief, you will be like the servant who was ready for his master to return and you will receive his blessing.